Technological innovations are offering new growth opportunities for the manufacturing sector. However, a lack of talent from “rising generations” threatens its future vitality, according to ThomasNet.com’s Industry Market Barometer® (IMB) research.

The annual survey of more than 1,200 American manufacturers paints a picture of an industry that is thriving and reinventing itself every day, but is in danger of slowing down if it doesn’t replenish its talent pool. Most of these respondents are from small and mid-size manufacturing companies, representative of their sector. Currently, the future is bright for these companies: More than half (55 percent) grew in 2012, and nearly two-thirds (63 percent) expect to grow this year. They credit their people, brands, technology, and innovation as the assets that are helping them to compete. In fact, nearly seven out of ten (67 percent) will introduce new or innovative products/services this year.

But a closer look at the findings reveals a “disconnect” between the growth of these manufacturers, and their lack of urgency when it comes to bringing in fresh talent to carry them forward. The survey respondents mirror today’s manufacturing workforce, which is heavily populated by employees who are 45 and older. With Generation Y projected to make up 75 percent of the workforce by 2025, manufacturers need a collective “succession plan” to maintain their momentum. Yet, eight out of ten respondents report that this generation represents a small fraction of their employee base, and most don’t see that changing soon. In short, despite more opportunity ahead, manufacturing’s biological clock is silently ticking away.

“As a foundation of our economy, the manufacturing sector remains vibrant, but cracks are coming to the surface. Changes in the workforce demographics and old attitudes about manufacturing as a career threaten the industry’s expansion. It’s time for those who love American manufacturing to double their efforts to engage the next generation,” said Eileen Markowitz, President, ThomasNet.

Technology Improving Opportunities
From the back office to the factory floor, technologies are making manufacturing a hotbed of innovation, improving companies’ operations, and increasing their growth. For example, manufacturers are:

--Boosting productivity with more advanced CAD (computer-aided design) software, CNC (computer numerical control) equipment, and cloud computing.
--Making custom products through additive manufacturing.
--Relying on “visual boards” for top-line views of their plants.
--Using smartphones and tablets to monitor inventory for stocking and pricing.

One manufacturer noted, “Our company has transformed from a small manual welding shop to a national supplier of trailer hitches, agricultural, and job shop products and processes by embracing technology to increase worker productivity.”

Negative Perceptions Deter New Generations
The opportunity to harness these technologies, and to create and innovate, is what makes manufacturing so rewarding, according to the IMB respondents. They believe that the positive attributes of manufacturing are lost to the public at large--including the satisfaction of developing new products, the environment of change, pride in Made in America quality, and the ability to improve people’s lives around the globe. Moreover, three out of four IMB respondents (73 percent) believe that negative perceptions about manufacturing careers are deterring young people from joining forces with them.

Calling on High Schools to Do More
Many manufacturers have developed creative partnerships with schools to engage their “best and brightest,” and they consider educators the ray of hope for their future. They are calling on high schools to offer more skills training, and to increase their emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They hope their potential successors will see, as one respondent says, that manufacturing is “a job that changes every day, but can last a lifetime.”

MHI is part of this effort with the high school and community college programming that is part of our Technical Career Education Program (TCEP).

Click here to view the full report.

Gary Kirchner has been appointed as vice president of sales for The Raymond Corporation. Kirchner will hold executive responsibility for Raymond Sales and Service Centers as well as national accounts.

Kirchner brings more than 30 years of sales experience to The Raymond Corporation, including seven years in the material handling industry. Previously, Kirchner served as director of sales at Carolina Handling, a Raymond Sales and Service Center headquartered outside of Charlotte, N.C. Prior to this position, he held several leadership positions, including vice president of sales for ColorGraphics, a Cenveo company, and general manager for Enovation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujifilm.

“We are pleased to welcome Gary into the position of vice president of sales,” says Tim Combs, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Raymond. “His partnership with Raymond employees and our distribution network will allow us to achieve long-term, profitable growth. He will be a valuable asset to our company.”

For more information on The Raymond Corporation, visit www.raymondcorp.com or call 800-235-7200.

The Raymond Corporation is a global provider of unmatched material handling technology, expertise and support to increase productivity and cost-efficiency. Designed with ecological and economical benefits in mind, Raymond® lift trucks are engineered to achieve higher performance and increase efficiency. Raymond offers a full line of manual and electric lift trucks — including pallet trucks, walkie stackers, counterbalanced trucks, reach trucks, orderpickers and turret trucks — and iWAREHOUSE®, complete with iWAREHOUSE Essential™ and iWAREHOUSE Enterprise™, to manage lift truck fleets, labor efficiencies and warehouses. Additionally, flexible automation solutions, customized financing options and industry-leading consultation from Raymond further enhance warehouse processes and streamline material handling practices.

Above. And beyond.®, iWAREHOUSE®, iWAREHOUSE Enterprise™, iWAREHOUSE Essential™ and Raymond® are U.S. trademarks of The Raymond Corporation.
©2013 The Raymond Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) announced that it is developing a new solution tool, the GEMI Supply Chain Sustainability Tool™ (SCS), which is focused on supply chain sustainability and the procurement decision making process. The project will be supported by and conducted in partnership with the Northstar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise (NiSE) at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota and the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan.

GEMI's Chair Neville Dias, Carnival Corporation & plc, stated, "I am pleased to announce that GEMI, is developing a new environmental sustainability tool, the GEMI Supply Chain Sustainability Tool™ (SCS) that will provide insight and support for both sustainability and purchasing professionals by linking market-oriented sustainability claims, economic input-output (EIO) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) results, and supply chain sustainability performance metrics."
The new GEMI SCS™ Tool development is being led by Keith Miller, Corporate Sustainability Manager, 3M and Bill Gill, Assistant Vice President, Environmental Affairs, Smithfield Foods who will serve as co-chairs of the tool development process

"GEMI is expanding the information and learnings of GEMI's two existing supply chain sustainability solution tools, New Paths to Business Value (2001) and Forging New Links (2004) with a the new GEMI SCS™ tool that will enlighten and open a new, and much needed, degree of transparency deep into the supply chain using a practical and scalable platform." said Gill. "This new tool will provide an actionable tool linking market-oriented sustainability indicators, claims and best practices (recycled content, recyclability, renewable content, substance free, etc.); scientifically based economic input-output (EIO) and life-cycle assessment LCA methodologies; and, supply chain operational metrics guiding effective sustainable procurement and sourcing," Gill added.

Miller stated, "The new GEMI SCS™ Tool will take advantage of a top-down 'hotspot' approach and bottom-up 'attributional LCA' approach to prioritize environmental aspects within a firm's supply chain while assessing the most relevant improvement opportunities of initially 3-5 commonly purchased product categories. The tool will provide users with overall environmental impacts across sourced inputs – allowing for prioritization across procurement spend, based on user-specified weighting of impacts as well as decision support capabilities for assessing alternative purchasing scenarios based on trade-offs and efficiencies associated with user-specified decision variables," Miller added.
GEMI Solution Tools Chair, Steve Shedroff, Global HS&E Data Systems Manager, The Procter & Gamble Company noted that "The tool will be a free interactive, web-based module, and include new functionality, which will help companies: prioritize supply chain processes, identify opportunity indicators, model "hotspot" processes, and provide guidance toward "hotspot" reduction. It provides a platform that can be expanded to include a wide range of product categories over time."

"GEMI is continuing its success and lessons learned from the development of the GEMI Local Water Tool™ last year where non-GEMI member companies are able to participate in the development of the tool as a Project Participants," said Gill. "GEMI is pleased that the following companies have become GEMI SCS Project Participants: Andersen Corporation, Tenant Company and WW Grainger. GEMI would welcome additional companies to join the project," Gill added.

"With the combined knowledge, insights and support of the GEMI member companies and SCS project participants, as well as the technical and development support of the Northstar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise (NiSE) at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan, and Climate Earth, the results of the completed GEMI SCS™ Tool will be an extraordinarily valuable publicly available tool for use by many companies and organizations," Miller concluded.

GEMI members include: 3M; Abbott; Andersen Corporation; Ashland Inc.; Biogen Idec; BNSF Railway Company; Carnival Corporation; ConAgra Foods; ConocoPhillips; ENI; FedEx; Halliburton; Johnson Controls, Inc.; Koch Industries; Kraft Foods Group Inc.; Legrand; Merck & Company, Inc.; Occidental Petroleum Corporation; Perdue Farms Incorporated; Phillips 66; The Procter & Gamble Company; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company; Sealed Air Corporation; Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Southern Company; Tennant Company; Union Pacific Railroad; WW Grainger.

For more information about GEMI visit www.gemi.org and for more information about the joining this project, please contact us at info@gemi.org.

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Learn more about the MHI blog and the solutions MHI provides to manufacturing, distribution and supply chain professionals.

Following an extensive series of tests, the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) has certified Interroll Synchronous Drum Motors as hygienic equipment for industrial purposes. This means the food, pharmaceutical and packaging sectors can now take advantage of a particularly energy-saving drive solution for material handling that also meets the highest international hygiene standards.

Compliance with these hygiene requirements has become of increasing importance, particularly when one considers that – according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) – even in many industrial countries around 30 per cent of the population are affected by foodstuff-related illnesses every year. But not only human health and life are at stake. The spread of diseases caused by contaminated foodstuffs can destroy companies, sectors and even the performance of entire economies.

As well as this EHEDG food-safe certification, Interroll Synchronous Drum Motors also meet the material requirements imposed by the USDA/FDA and the EU Directive EC 1935/2004 on equipment used in the foodstuffs industry. As a drive solution in the industrial sector, Interroll Synchronous Drum Motors also feature standard sealing systems in accordance with IP66 and IP69k. At the same time, Interroll Synchronous Drum Motors reduce energy consumption and cleaning times by 30 per cent compared to conventional solutions.

“We are really happy and content that we have been rewarded the prestigious and globally renowned EHEDG Class I Certification on our innovative D-Series Drum Motor based on synchronous technology. This certification shows that our continued product optimization is not in vain, but has grounds in the real world. I am convinced, that by this approval, we are now helping our customers at a maximum level. The EHEDG Class I Certification is the most complex and demanding hygienic appreciation one can achieve, based on real measureable benefits in terms of easier cleaning and less food contamination risks in the production environment – and these benefits we are now forwarding to our ever quality focused customers”, says Hauke Tiedemann, Managing Director at Interroll Trommelmotoren GmbH.

When used in areas subject to particularly strict hygiene requirements, the closed stainless steel casing and special design of Interroll drum motors offer a host of benefits over conventional drive motors. For instance, Interroll Synchronous Drum Motors can be cleaned with high-pressure water hoses, steam or disinfectants, which reduces the necessary cleaning and disinfection times by up to 30%. Furthermore, the materials used and the product design lower the risk of bacterial or other contamination.

Interroll Synchronous Drum Motors are also among the most energy-efficient electric motors on the market. The maintenance and sensor-free motors operate with a minimal loss of power, which has been proven to reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent compared to conventional drive systems. Synchronous Drum Motors work at low operating temperatures and enable extremely cost-effective and sustainable operation. They offer excellent torque at all speeds, maximum acceleration/deceleration and precise stop-start sequences for automated processing methods.

Interroll Profile - Promotional Partner Sauber F1 Team
The Interroll Group is one of the world’s leading specialists within the field of internal logistics. Headquartered in Switzerland, the exchange-listed company employs around 1,600 people at 31 enterprises around the globe. Interroll products are deployed at well-known global brands such as Amazon, Bosch, Coca-Cola, Coop, DHL, FedEx, Peugeot, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, USPS, Walmart or Yamaha, to name a few. The business focuses on airports, parcel and postal services, distribution centres and food processing facilities. Regional Centres of Excellence and production sites, global expertise, financial stability and a solid brand reputation make Interroll a strong partner for growth and most sought-after employer. Interroll is Promotional Partner of the Sauber F1 Team. With their Swiss headquarters and global operations, both Interroll and Sauber strive for excellence as leading players in a highly competitive landscape. Precision, reliability and speed are their common strategic core values that define their critical success.

Contact:
Interroll (Schweiz) AG
Corporate Marketing
Jens Karolyi
Via Gorelle 3
CH – 6592 Sant’Antonino, Schweiz
Tel. +41 91 850 25 69
j.karolyi@interroll.com

Seegrid is growing. To accommodate this growth the company promoted Derek Roberts to Director of Sales and reports to John Hayes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America

Hayes explained why the dramatic staff increases are necessary noting, “We have seen a 350% increase in Seegrid robotic industrial truck orders year to date when compared to 2012. Also known as flexible AGVs, this extraordinary growth is proof the manufacturing sector has recovered; material handling and distribution centers are expanding quickly because the demand for our products has never been stronger. We are adding talented and experienced staff to ensure the quality and customer care continues to be a hallmark of our company, our brand, and our reputation.”

With automation rapidly gaining popularity in the U.S., Roberts shares where he sees Seegrid's automation solution providing the most value for warehouses and plants. “Cost of operation and hiring costs…even with above average unemployment numbers I’m continually hearing our customers talk of how difficult it is to find and retain good employees. Seegrid’s AGV solutions eliminate repetitive non-value-added tasks allowing associates to have a more meaningful and satisfactory work experience.”

Hayes also suggested that Seegrid will benefit from Roberts’ extensive leadership background in materials handling and automation because, “With years of sales leadership experience, this new role as Director of Sales Roberts brings a renewed vigor to the sales team and a passion for sales success. His ability to build a team, equip them with the necessary tools, and lead them, makes Roberts well-positioned for success.”

As part of the new position Roberts will manage three new Regional Sales Managers, Charles Craven, Bill Edgy, and Gary Ensey.

The growth at Seegrid is expected to continue at this rapid pace for several years. One of the elements for the Seegrid growth model is the “Try before you buy program.” It allows potential customers to see how the Seegrid technology operates in their plants and distribution centers or warehouses, assuring that it is the right product every time. Seegrid has eliminated the guess work in selecting an AGV.

About Seegrid:
Seegrid Corporation provides simple, affordable, flexible vision-guided automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to the material handling industry. Seegrid robotic industrial trucks, flexible AGVs, are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid automated pallet trucks and tow tractors optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Robotic industrial trucks deliver a rapid return on investment, improve facility safety, and reduce equipment and product damage. Fast Company magazine named Seegrid as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Innovative Company in 2013 and among the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Robotics Company in 2013. Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.

Lexington, KY- November 01, 2013, CLARK Material Handling Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Farrukh Ghani as Chief Financial Officer for its North America Operations.  Since joining CLARK in 2000, Farrukh has held a series of managerial roles in the finance and information technology departments of CLARK, including most recently Vice President—Finance & Technology.  His overall responsibilities will include strategic business planning, risk management and oversight of Finance, Accounting and Information Technology.

Farrukh is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Accounting & Computer Science.  He is an active Certified Public Accountant.

Dennis Lawrence, President  & CEO, said “Farrukh has made valuable contributions to CLARK in each of his previous positions.  This promotion will continue to strengthen the company's strategic planning capability and financial performance.  Farrukh brings a proven record which will help lead CLARK to new levels of success.”

About CLARK Material Handling Company
CLARK Material Handling Company has been an industry leader since its production of the first gasoline-powered material handling truck in 1917. CLARK is privately held by the Young An Company of South Korea, and is present in 102 global markets, including the support of 550 dealer locations. A full range of I.C. and Electric trucks for diverse applications are available in the CLARK product line. CLARK has ranked #1 “Best in Value” on Modern Material Handling magazine's consumer survey.

For more information about any CLARK products, please visit www.clarkmhc.com  or contact your local authorized CLARK dealer.

Howard Bernstein, material handling industry veteran and former owner and founder of Atlas International Lift Trucks announces the successful inaugural launch of “The Howard Bernstein Material Handling Industrial Distribution Scholarship.” The original intent of this program was to award five scholarships to five students in the amount of $5,000 for the first year. As a result of the contributions and investments of 22 industry manufacturers and distributors, nine scholarships of $5,000 each were awarded to nine different schools and students, nearly doubling the original goal.

The purpose of this scholarship program is to help promote the material handling industry to college students who are majoring in Industrial Distribution and curriculum related to supply chain management and technologies.

According to Bernstein, “The objective is to greatly reduce the time consuming process and expense to find the right people for the job. These students have invested several years at great expense to dedicate their future to distribution and come ‘ready to go’ with fresh ideas.”

His message for young people is that the material handling industry is great because it’s not confined to nuts and bolts. “It’s exciting,” he says. “You learn to communicate with people at all levels, not just the executive. You really learn what makes the world go round with knowledge in all industries.”

Bernstein started this program with an initial investment of $150,000 and now invites manufacturers and distributors to be recognized nationally among other industry leaders for future growth. This investment will attract graduate students and establish relationship with some of the 74 pre-qualified universities located coast-to-coast.

For more information about the scholarship program, please contact Donna Varner at the Material Handling Education Foundation at 704-676-1190 or Howard Bernstein at 847-433-6585. Mr. Bernstein is also available and interested in being personally interviewed about this program.

The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) is seeking donations for scholarships supporting the study of material handling, logistics and the supply chain. Finding a qualified manufacturing and supply chain workforce is becoming more and more of a challenge. An investment in students today will help to create a talent pool for the future.

Since 1976, MHEFI has awarded more than $2,500,000 in scholarships and grants to students at 74 colleges and universities. Forty scholarships were awarded for the 2013/2014 academic year.

MHEFI invests more than 90% of the funds it receives in scholarships and grants to students based on perceived merit and applicant passion for the industry. MHEFI's newest program is the Howard Bernstein Scholarship Fund which was established by Howard Bernstein, Founder and Former Chairman of Atlas International Lift Trucks, Atlas Material Handling and Atlas Bobcat. MHEFI awarded nine, $5,000 scholarships to nine deserving students across The United States for the 2013/2014 academic year.

Interested parties can make a tax-deductible contribution by returning the MHEFI pledge card. Your generous gift will be acknowledged with a certificate for framing, a Donor’s Club listing on www.mhefi.net and in a press release.

MHEFI was established in 1976 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promote the study of material handling, logistics and the supply chain by exposing students and educators to the industry through financial support. The Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to students pursuing an education in material handling. These scholarships are grouped into three types of funds: Company Funds, Named Scholarship Funds and MHI Industry Group Funds. Contributors can choose a particular fund or an individual scholarship.

In addition to providing scholarships, funds also sponsor grants to faculty and students to attend off-campus industry conferences and seminars directly related to the field of material handling research, to colleges or universities for purchase of classroom instructional aids and lab materials and fellowships for special research.

The affairs of the Foundation are administered at the offices of MHI.

For more information about the work of MHEFI, please visit www.mhefi.net. Should you wish to make a gift of perpetuity or establish a scholarship fund in your name or company name, please contact Donna Varner, MHEFI Executive Director at 704-676-1190.

Hamilton Caster announces the launch of cartsandtrailers.com. This all-new website is dedicated to Hamilton’s entire line of stock and custom-engineered carts and trailers.

The new site includes extensive product information and specifications to help customers learn about Hamilton’s complete line of products for the material handling industry. You’ll also find a custom gallery with fresh photography. Plus, a blog with interesting stories and case studies of some of Hamilton’s biggest and most unique creations for mega manufacturers.

An interactive quote request page makes starting even complex jobs as easy as filling out a quick form. The website also highlights Hamilton’s experience with the aerospace, defense, and heavy manufacturing industries.

About Hamilton Caster & Mfg. Co
Founded in 1907, Hamilton Caster & Mfg. Co. is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing stock and custom-engineered casters, wheels, carts, and trailers. Hamilton’s full embrace of lean manufacturing principles coupled with their complete machine shop, metalworking department, woodworking facilities, and contiguous caster and wheel plant enable them to produce to the customer’s exact specifications at a very high standard of quality. Family owned since its inception, the fourth generation remains as committed to quality as the company’s founder, John Weigel.

Hamilton Caster & Mfg. Co.
1637 Dixie Hwy.
Hamilton, OH 45011.
Phone: 800-733-7655
Fax: 800-232-3733

Seegrid, a robotics company revolutionizing manufacturing and materials handling with automated pallet trucks and tow tractors, was just awarded the Gold Medal Award at the WBT Innovation Marketplace 2013 competitive event. The presentations were judged based on the strength of the commercialization opportunity of the company. Mitchell Weiss, Chief Operating Officer of Seegrid, presented the company’s value proposition in San Diego on October 22, 2013.

Weiss commented, “It was an honor to receive the Gold Medal Award at the WBT Innovation Marketplace in San Diego last week. The supportive reception to Seegrid’s innovative technology is gratifying and reflects favorably the hard work and dedication which made the technology possible. The innovation community appreciates ingenuity and so does the marketplace with Seegrid experiencing a 350% increase in orders over last year.”

Judging was based on the greatest impression of the breakthrough nature of the technology, market opportunity, proprietary position, and value proposition to investors or partners. The judges represent investors, licensees, and commercialization experts. Seegrid won the Gold Medal.

About Seegrid:
Seegrid Corporation provides simple, affordable, flexible vision-guided automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to the material handling industry. Seegrid robotic industrial trucks, flexible AGVs, are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid automated pallet trucks and tow tractors optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Robotic industrial trucks deliver a rapid return on investment, improve facility safety, and reduce equipment and product damage. Fast Company magazine named Seegrid as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Innovative Company in 2013 and among the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Robotics Company in 2013. Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.

Seegrid Corporation
www.seegrid.com

Amanda Merrell, Marketing Director
amerrell@seegrid.com
412-379-4500 x184

The new UltraBot IE robotic automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) from Integrated Systems Design (ISD) efficiently delivers totes, boxes and cases to one or more high-speed order picking workstations in support of a wide range of order handling applications in operations. UltraBot IE systems will hit 1440 transactions per hour or more.

The UltraBot IE inserter/extractor moves up and down the front of two or three tiered horizontal carousels automatically retrieving order items as it goes. It delivers them to a conveyor and unloads them for routing to batch picking or dynamic batching workstations where orders can be buffered until the operator requires that pick. Completed orders are automatically taken from the workstation and routed to the next workstation or zone for further processing.

The modular flexibility of the UltraBot IE ASRS allows it to accommodate many types and sizes of cartons and totes up to 36” in applications that include order picking and fulfillment, order consolidation, returns and reverse logistics, buffering, sorting, staging, kitting, and work-in-progress. A single UltraBot IE ASRS can handle up to eight transactions per minute, 480 per hour. A three-carousel system can handle up to 1,440 transactions per hour. Systems with additional UltraBot IE robots and tiered carousels can boost throughput even higher.

The UltraBot IE ASRS is built using standard, off-the-shelf components offering a lower cost of acquisition, quick installation, reliable operation and reduced maintenance downtime. It can reduce labor requirements by up to 2/3 while offering 99.9%+ accuracy levels. Its space saving design can recover up to 85%+ of the floor space required by rack and shelving systems. The system provides a lower acquisition cost and a faster ROI than multi-shuttle, crane and aisle and typical robot systems.

Integrated Systems Design - ISD is a leading manufacturer, systems consultant, designer and integrator for warehouse, manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, life sciences, institutions and retail organizations in North America. ISD systems are renowned for their tremendous value, reliability and ease of maintenance. Systems are designed using technologies from the leading material handling manufacturers of the world.
Solutions designed by ISD focus on providing space savings, increased productivity, reduced labor, higher accuracy and system flexibility to change as an operation's activities change in the future. Utilizing proven technology and off the shelf components helps provide cost effective solutions requiring minimum maintenance and yielding fast Return on Investments (ROI).

ISD expertise ranges from handling and picking pieces (eaches), cases, pallets, build lines, and special or custom handling solutions. Products and services include: automatic storage and retrieval (ASRS), conveyor, robotics, batch stations, automatic inserters and printers, pick to light, A-frames, horizontal and vertical carousels, vertical lift modules (VLMs), controls, software (including inventory management, WCS, WMS, MES and ERP), application and facility consulting and design, AutoCAD, system simulation, moves, installation and service.

For high resolution images or a word document for this release, simply click the link below or contact Ed Romaine at 215-431-4524 or email eromaine@isddd.com. For more information on ISD (Integrated Systems Design), call 248-668-8250 or visit the ISD web site at www.ISDDD.com/

For information about the UltraBot IE ASRS, contact Integrated Systems Design, www.ISDDD.com/UltraBot, info@isddd.com, 248-668-8250, FAX 248-668-8568.

FORTE, the design-build pioneer of the supply chain distribution sector, added three new supply chain consultants and a marketing specialist to its team of distribution center experts. Jeff Cunningham and Will Nowak have accepted positions as senior consultants, Randie Bumgardner will start as a consultant/analyst, and Brittany Encinas will step into the role of marketing and sales support coordinator.

“We’re very happy to have the additional consultants join FORTE to handle the influx of customer projects we have booked,” said Tom Rentschler, FORTE’s vice president of sales and marketing. “They will begin to immediately provide valuable contributions while we approach even more aggressive growth.”

As a senior consultant, Cunningham, who garnered skills with top-notch teams such as IBM and SAP, brings more than 25 years of experience in supply chain business process design, including automated material handling systems. His experience developing and maintaining detailed project plans, evaluating resource requirements, and establishing strong relationships with stakeholders and integration partners will serve FORTE’s clients well as they seek to improve distribution operations. Cunningham has an MBA in banking and finance from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and he earned his accounting degree from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. He is certified in production and inventory management (CPIM) by the Association for Operations Management.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the supply chain, Nowak brandishes expertise in classical industrial engineering, data analysis/profiling, material flow/process analysis, materials handling and storage equipment planning, logistics network optimization, labor rate estimating and standard development, space and layout planning, dedicated transportation design, and warehouse management software technology. Nowak’s most recent role was senior supply chain consultant and project manager for TranSystems Corp. The new senior consultant obtained his industrial engineering degree from Clemson University in Clemson, S.C.

Bumgardner joins the FORTE team from C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. where she orchestrated the movement of international and domestic shipments. She has nearly five years of experience in operations and logistics management, and she will apply these skills to her role as consultant/analyst for FORTE. Bumgardner received her degree in management from Trine University in Angola, Ind.

Encinas will be responsible for managing lead generation activities, administering customer relationship management, and providing support to marketing and sales leadership in the implementation of the company’s strategic marketing plan. She also will assist with executing marketing tactics. Most recently, Encinas served as the online communications manager for Make-A-Wish International. Encinas earned her communications degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

“We are excited to welcome Brittany, Jeff, Will and Randie to our FORTE family as we continue to engineer and configure flexible, scalable and profitable distribution networks for many of the world’s fastest-growing companies,” said Jeff Ross, vice president for consulting.

Visit www.forte-industries.com to learn more about FORTE’s primary practices for high-performance distribution operations: consulting and engineering, design/build, and the Smart Warehouse Suite™ warehouse control system software. Client stories, online resources and the FORTE blog also are available at www.forte-industries.com/blog.aspx.

About FORTE
FORTE is a leading distribution design/build and software technology firm. Named one of Gartner’s “Cool Vendors” in Supply Chain Services, 2013, FORTE is focused on driving high-performance distribution operations for many of the world’s fastest-growing brands.

Media contact: Tom Rentschler
trentschler@forte-industries.com
513.204.3021

The Caldwell Group and J.C. Renfroe have merged to create an organization capable of providing a significantly broader array of lifting solutions to its global customers.

Caldwell, a U.S. manufacturer of below the hook lifting equipment and Renfroe, a U.S. manufacturer of plate clamp lifting equipment, combined to form an organization based on well recognized brands and years of first-hand application experience in a variety of industries.

“This is a great opportunity for two strong companies, with well recognized brands to partner together.” said Caldwell’s President Doug Stitt. “We are very proud and excited to be a part of Renfroe’s future.”

Caldwell based in Rockford, IL is an employee owned company (ESOP). J.C. Renfroe based in Jacksonville, FL will continue to operate as an independent operation under the J.C. Renfroe name and will also become an employee owned company.

Ron Raymond, Renfroe’s Managing Director said, “This is a great opportunity for the Renfroe employees who have built this organization to help continue the Renfroe name and brand but now with ownership in the company’s future operations and success.”

Seegrid is growing. To accommodate this growth the company announced the new hire of Dori Kozak as marketing manager and will report to Director of Marketing, Amanda Merrell.

Kozak will manage the marketing and public relations efforts in Europe and the Middle East. She will also manage the expansion of Seegrid flexible AGVs into other worldwide markets as well as oversee marketing campaigns, PR, media relations, trade events, advertising, promotions, and lead generation.

Kozak commented, “I am thrilled to be part of Seegrid’s marketing team and to have an instrumental role in expanding our flexible AGVs beyond the U.S. market to Europe and the Middle East. Seegrid’s automated pallet trucks and tow tractors are transforming how companies can stay competitive, so to be part of the revolution in the material handling industry is exciting especially being with the company that is the pioneer in vision-guided automated guided vehicle navigation.”

John Hayes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America, also welcomed Kozak to the Seegrid team. Hayes explained why the dramatic staff increase is necessary noting, “We have seen a 350% increase in Seegrid robotic industrial truck orders year to date when compared to 2012. Also known as flexible AGVs, this extraordinary growth is proof the manufacturing sector has recovered. Material handling and distribution centers are expanding quickly because the demand for our products has never been stronger. We are adding talented and experienced staff to ensure the quality and customer care continues to be a hallmark of our company, our brand, and our reputation.”

One of the elements for the Seegrid growth model is the “Try before you buy program.” It allows potential customers to see how the Seegrid technology operates in their plants and distribution centers or warehouses, assuring that it is the right product every time. Seegrid has eliminated the guess work in selecting an AGV.

About Seegrid:
Seegrid Corporation (www.seegrid.com) provides simple, affordable, flexible vision-guided automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to the material handling industry. Seegrid robotic industrial trucks, flexible AGVs, are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid automated pallet trucks and tow tractors optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Robotic industrial trucks deliver a rapid return on investment, improve facility safety, and reduce equipment and product damage. Fast Company magazine named Seegrid as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Innovative Company in 2013 and among the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Robotics Company in 2013. Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.

Seegrid Corporation
www.seegrid.com
Amanda Merrell, Marketing Director
amerrell@seegrid.com
412-379-4500 x184

Intelligrated®, a North American-based automated material handling solutions provider, announces the appointment of Rod Selby to the position of director, Asia Pacific business development.

With 25 years experience in the distribution and logistics field for both hardware and software solutions, Selby is responsible for accelerating Intelligrated’s expansion and market penetration in the Asia Pacific region. Selby will report directly to Bob Wilson, vice president, international division.

“Rod’s depth of experience allows him to effectively support Intelligrated as it continues to build a robust international presence,” said Wilson. “He will be an asset to our business development team as we continue to provide top-of-the-line material handling solutions to Intelligrated customers worldwide.”

Prior to joining Intelligrated, Selby spent time as an independent consultant for supply chain development. His diverse knowledge and experience working on international projects across North America, Europe and Asia will be key attributes in developing local supplier partners in Asia and making him a natural addition to Intelligrated’s international team.

For sales and marketing information, contact Emily Smith, marketing supervisor, Intelligrated, by phone at (513) 881-5239 or by email at emily.smith@intelligrated.com.

For media information, contact Natalie Fioto, public relations, Koroberi, by phone at (919) 945-0566 or by email at natalie@koroberi.com.

About Intelligrated
Intelligrated is a leading North American-based, single-source provider of intelligent automated material handling solutions that drive distribution and fulfillment productivity for retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers around the world. Through a broad portfolio of automation equipment, software, service and support, Intelligrated solutions optimize processes, increase efficiency and give businesses a competitive edge.

Intelligrated designs, manufactures, integrates and installs complete material handling automation solutions including conveyor systems, sortation systems, palletizers, robotics and order picking technologies – all managed by advanced machine controls and software. Solutions include industry-leading Intelligrated-manufactured Alvey®, RTS™ and IntelliSort® brand equipment and Knighted® warehouse management (WMS), warehouse control (WCS) and labor management software.

Every project is backed by Intelligrated’s 24X7 multilingual technical support and access to lifecycle service through a network of national, regional and local service centers. From concept to integration to lifecycle support, Intelligrated automation delivers distribution and fulfillment success. For more updates, follow us on Twitter @Intelligrated

The results of a recent report titled "Supply Chain Resilience 2013" by Zurich Insurance Group make it clear that supply chain disruptions continue to have a significant impact on business performance and the problem is not being effectively managed.

According to the report, 75% of respondents still do not have full visibility of their supply chain and that 30% did not know where they fit into any of their suppliers’ priorities. Only 25% coordinate and report to gain an enterprise-wide view of disruption. In addition, 75% of respondents experienced at least one incident that caused disruption over the last year and 42% of disruptions originated below the tier one supplier.

The primary sources of disruption were unplanned IT outages, with 55% stating they experienced high or some impact from this type of disruption. This was followed by adverse weather (40%) and outsourcer service provision failure (37%).

One of the key challenges is to get consistent top management support for investing in improved supply chain resilience. Effectively tracking the entire supply chain is essential for reducing the immediate costs of disruption and managing the long term reputation of the business.

Further findings from the report include:

• The leading impact following a disruption is loss of productivity with 55% experiencing this in the last year. 41% reported customer complaints and 33% experienced an increased cost of work and service outcome impaired
• The biggest risk to the supply chain over the next 12 months was reported to be technology (23%) followed by regulations (17%)
• 49% of respondents state that half or less of their key suppliers have business continuity arrangements in place for their own needs

Now into its fifth year, the Annual Supply Chain Resilience Survey has established itself as an important vehicle to highlight and inform organizations of the importance of supply chain resilience and the key role it plays in achieving overall organizational resilience in today’s volatile global economic climate. The outcomes of previous surveys have provided organizations with critical insights and valuable information to support the development of appropriate strategic responses and approaches to mitigate the impact and consequences of disruptions within their supply chains.

Click here to view the complete report.

When the industry’s largest expo for manufacturing and the supply chain, MODEX 2014, opens on March 17 it will include over 800 exhibits covering 250,000 square feet.

Thanks in large part to the collocation of events like Supply Chain & Transportation USA (SC&T USA) and the Georgia Logistics Summit, MODEX 2014 will be the largest international expo and conference of its kind held in North America. Tens of thousands of manufacturing and supply chain professionals from over 100 countries around the globe will attend.

The MODEX Supply Chain Conference will include nearly 200 complimentary educational sessions outlining leading trends, best practices and state-of-the-art equipment and technology solutions. MODEX keynotes will feature Edward H. Bastian, President of Delta Air Lines; former Walmart CEO Lee Scott; and Scott Sopher, principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Supply Chain practice.

“Collocating Supply Chain and Transportation USA with MODEX 2014 will allow manufacturing and supply chain professionals unparalleled education and networking opportunities as well as exposure to the broadest material handling, logistics and supply chain equipment and technology display of any show of its kind in North America,” says George Prest, Chief Executive Officer for MHI.

“We listened to what attendees and those in the industry wanted, and they wanted a complete supply chain event,” says Laurent Noel, of SC&T USA. “With the collaboration of SC&T USA and MODEX, we’ve brought material handling, transportation & logistics together effectively. Add to that, the unsurpassed educational content from our Knowledge Partner, Georgia Logistics Summit, this is an all-inclusive, can’t-miss event showcasing the newest, most innovative ideas throughout the supply chain across multiple sectors.”

“For attendees and exhibitors, these collocations add even more value to the MODEX 2014 event,” added Prest. “Reed Exhibitions, the producer of SC&T USA, is a recognized as a global leader in supply chain and logistics events. Additionally, the 2013 Georgia Logistics Summit hosted over 2,000 attendees from 30 states and 9 nations and expects to draw even more in conjunction with MODEX 2014. In today’s world where agile and innovative supply chains are a necessity, the collocation is a win-win for exhibitors and attendees.”

“The Georgia Logistics Summit is proud to be partnering again with MODEX in 2014 and as the Knowledge Partner for the inaugural SC&T USA show debuting with MODEX 2014,” says Page Siplon, Executive Director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics.

Additional groups collocating their events with MODEX 2014 include:

• American Professional Material Handling Consultants (APMHC)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME MHED)
• American Society of Transportation & Logistics (AST&L)
• The Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution (CELDi)
• The College-Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE)
• The Georgia Institute of Technology Supply Chain and Logistics Institute
• Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC)
• Material Handling & Logistics Roadmap
• Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA)
• Material Handling Management Society (MHMS)
• Metro Atlanta Chamber Supply Chain Leadership Council
• National Wooden Pallet Container Association (NWPCA)
• Technical Career Education Program (TCEP)
• Warehousing Education & Research Council (WERC)

Complete information and complimentary show and educational session registration for MODEX, SC&T and the Georgia Logistics Summit can be found online at www.MODEXShow.com, www.supplychaintransportationusa.com and www.georgialogistics.com/logistics-summit.

MHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third party logistics providers. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals.

Reed Exhibitions is the organizer of Supply Chain & Transportation USA. Reed Exhibitions Transport & Logistics portfolio consists of 19 trade events taking place in some of the most important and dynamic logistics markets in the world: Brazil, France, Indonesia, India and USA. Collectively these events attract over 201,625 participants and 3,586 exhibitors, interested in finding new partners, meeting the main players in the industry, generating business, discovering the latest trends in transport, logistics, material handling and supply chain, understanding new markets and discovering new products/services. Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments, Reed Exhibitions Transport & Logistics portfolio ensures that each event is targeted and relevant to the transport and logistics industry’s needs. www.reedexpo.com/transportandlogistics.

The Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics is the leading statewide resource for fueling logistics industry growth and global competitiveness. The Center works to address the challenges and opportunities of companies involved in freight logistics and transportation – both service providers and heavy consumers of logistics services. The Center created and hosts the annual Georgia Logistics Summit to join together the most extensive cross-sector network of logistics related professionals and policy makers in the nation. The Center is an industry focused component of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).

Contacts:
MHI: Carol Miller, VP of Marketing and Communications?
Reed Exhibitions: Laurent Noel, VP - Transportation & Logistics
Georgia Center for Innovation for Logistics: Sandy Lake, Associate Director

Yale Materials Handling Corporation received a 2013 Gold Aurora Award for its premier Handle with Care Operator Training Program – a comprehensive instructional and educational program for lift truck operator training.

“The Yale Handle with Care Operator Training Program sets a new standard in training excellence as it not only provides operators with the skills needed for professional lift truck operation, but also promotes a safe work environment,” said Bill Pfleger, president of Yale Distribution. “The 2013 Gold Aurora Award further demonstrates this commitment to our customers and lift truck operators.”

Recognized by the Aurora Awards, an international film and video competition, Yale Handle with Care Operator Training offers a one-stop source for complete lift truck operator training. The two-DVD set covers all five classes of lift trucks, and includes everything needed to conduct the classroom component of an OSHA-compliant operator training program. In addition to detailed industry standards and leading-edge training methods, Yale Handle with Care Operator Training offers downloadable support documents including an instructor’s guide, class-specific tests, operating manual, personalized course completion certificates and wallet cards.

The Handle with Care Operator Training is available through an authorized Yale® lift truck dealer.

About Aurora Awards
Created in 1996, the Aurora Awards is an international competition honoring excellence in the film and video industries. Films are judged by the same criteria despite their individual specialties. The competition includes commercial, cable programing and documentaries, industrial, instructional and corporate videos. Nominees are judged on a fixed scale in areas of quality content, professional execution and creativity.

About Yale Materials Handling Corporation
Yale Materials Handling Corporation markets a full line of materials handling lift truck products and services, including electric, gas, LP-gas and diesel powered lift trucks; narrow aisle, very narrow aisle and motorized hand trucks. Yale has a comprehensive service offering including Yale® Vision wireless asset management, Fleet Management, Yale service, parts, financing and training. Yale® trucks are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2008 registered facility and range in capacity from 2,000 to 36,000 lbs. For more information, or to find the Yale® lift truck dealer nearest you, call 1-800-233-YALE or visit www.yale.com.

Yale Materials Handling Corporation is part of NACCO Materials Handling Group, Inc. (NMHG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE:HY). Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, employ approximately 5,300 people worldwide.

Yale is a Registered Trademark of Yale Materials Handling Corporation. People. Products. Productivity. is a Trademark in the United States and certain other jurisdictions.

Nuvera Fuel Cells has announced that it will be working with Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri, on a program to power hi-end marine vessels with advanced fuel cell technology. Nuvera has been commissioned to produce and deliver eight of its Orion™ fuel cell stacks (total power 260 kW), which will be used as range extenders for use on marine vessels.

Nuvera's fuel cell auxiliary power units will provide marine vessels with air-independent propulsion (AIP). This is the same technology used in non-nuclear submarines, which allows them to operate without the need to surface for oxygen. AIP generates electricity, which in turn drives an electric motor for propulsion or for recharging the boat's batteries. The outcome of using this technology is silent operation, a major benefit in the world of luxury sea travel.

"Fuel cells provide an attractive value proposition to the marine industry," said Giampaolo Sibilia, Director of European Operations for Nuvera Fuel Cells. "This important program with Fincantieri not only validates the benefits of Orion technology in sea-based transportation, but fulfills a specific need in the marine world - to make sea travel cleaner and quieter."

Fincantieri has coordinated the building of more than 7,000 seagoing vessels spanning its 200 year history, giving the shipbuilder an unrivaled understanding of the sea travel industry. Fincantieri selected Nuvera's Orion fuel cell stack technology for its performance and durability.

Interest in hydrogen fuel cells for marine applications has grown as the marine industry looks for new ways to tackle environmental concerns and improve engine-reliability. The usage of hydrogen fuel cells in marine vessels reduces the exhaust emissions, vibrations, noise, and costs associated with diesel-powered sea travel.

Fuel cells are solid state electricity-generating devices with no moving parts. This makes them exceptionally quiet in terms of machinery noise compared to conventional diesel engines.

Orion fuel cell stacks are Nuvera's line of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), which offer best-in-class power density in sizes ranging from 10 to 300 kW. Orion offers superior performance and durability in a compact package that can be integrated into industrial mobility, automotive, aerospace, and marine applications.

The program is scheduled to begin December 2013. Nuvera is aiming to deliver all eight Orion fuel cell stack prototype units by mid-2014.

About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups, which in over 200 years of maritime history has built more than 7,000 vessels. It is world leader in cruise ship construction and a reference player in other sectors, from naval vessels to cruise ferries, from mega-yachts to special high value-added vessels, ship repairs and conversions and offshore vessels. Headquartered in Trieste, the Group has a total of nearly 20,000 employees, of whom 8,400 in Italy, 21 shipyards in 3 continents and total revenues of Euro 4 billion.

Through its subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori the company develops and builds diesel engines, for marine generators, propulsion and industrial applications. More information can be found by visiting www.fincantieri.com.

About Nuvera Fuel Cells
Nuvera Fuel Cells is a global leader in the development of fuel cell systems and hydrogen generation and dispensing products for both end users and OEMs. With offices located in the U.S. and Europe, Nuvera provides clean, safe, and efficient products for industrial vehicles and equipment in addition to furthering the development of power systems for automotive and transportation applications. Visit www.nuvera.com for more information.